Fossett's team- Flight is around-the-world

ST. LOUIS -- Steve Fossett's Mission Control hopes to dismiss any doubt about whether the millionaire's balloon trip around the Southern Hemisphere's midsection counts as a true flight around the world.

"A lot of people have had questions about whether a flight would count if you just flew in a circle around the North or South Pole," said Jeremy Raphael, a Mission Control spokesman. "It appears as if everything Steve has done is completely within the rules." Rules?

In fact, there are rules that constitute an around-the-world balloon flight -- even though it's never been done.

The rules were established by the Switzerland-based Federation Aeronautique Internationale, also known as the World Air Sports Federation. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1905 to promote recreation in the skies.

Fossett's Mission Control team, has kept track and is confident that their man is following the guidelines.

As of 8 p.m. Friday, Fossett had flown 12,872 miles since his launch from western Australia.

His team expected him back there by Tuesday.

Mission Control meteorologists hope to slow down Fossett's balloon to make it easier to dodge upcoming storms.